Spaghetti Bridge Essays

Spaghetti Bridge Essays Spaghetti Bridge Essay Spaghetti Bridge Essay Designing an efficient model bridge structure, using cardboard, string and spaghetti, that can hold as much weight as possible.Background informationBridges are structural assemblies that are intuitively associated with rivers and natural obstacles however, bridge forms are present in many other structures. An ordinary shelf has similarities to a bridge. As a further example, structural form of Thames bridges in London was considered. In all cases structures need to be specially designed to respond to different loading conditions that can occur. The predominant load on a road bridge across the river is lateral from traffic but side, lateral, load can also occur (from wind, or impact from passing boats, etc.). Different structural options can be used but, most frequent, simple systems, are beams and trusses. Both systems have drawbacks. Due to their large area trusses can be subject to large side forces and beams can be heavy.MethodThe mass of cardboard was recorded. The bridge was co nstructed by spaghetti, string and hot melt glue. After construction the mass of the bridge was recorded. The bridge was loaded until it was collapsed. The support for the bridge shall be from the top of the level surfaces. The edges of the level surfaces could not be used in any way for support. The bridge was judged based on the ratio of the maximum load held before collapsing compared to the weight of the bridge. The efficiency of bridge was calculatedEfficiency = Fmax /WWhere Fmax is the maximum load, which was sustained for at least 10 seconds and W is the self-weight of the bridge.